What a wonderful discovery! My name is Alison. I am 56 and have recently had the shocking diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, which has shaken my self-image enormously. I see myself as a very active, young, healthy 56 year old so am still coming to terms with what seems like a 'bad thing'.

Twenty-two years ago I had a prolonged episode of seronegative polyarthritis. I had two young children and was bed ridden for several weeks (leading to my three year old daughter announcing that she would prefer my friend Wilma to be her mother becasue she could walk!! I am glad to report that now, aged 26, has confirmed that she is glad I didn't give her away!)) I was put on sulphasalazine and had a dreadful reaction which hospitalised me. I then decided to take control myself and found a wonderful reflexologist who also advised on diet. Remaining on the NSAID (Oruvail) that I was on, I became wheat and dairy free and began to regain some energy and function. After a while she suggested that I ask for a referral to the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital and that moved me on to the stage where I was able to come off the NSAIDs, and have had twenty very active and happy years symptom and drug free (except for a little blip eight years ago when I had colo-rectal cancer which is now in the past; and being diagnosed with lichen sclerosis - another auto-immune problem).

At the start of this year I began to have sore shoulders and I have been having peculair liver function test results. My wonderful GP has monitored and in June, decided to test for RA. I was more or less symtpom free when I got the word that the blood test showed a strong positive Rheumatoid Factor. Within days my health totally broke down - the RA was back with a vengeance. So I am now really struggling with the MTX dilemma. They want me to go on it. Rationally I know that sounds sensible, but every bone in my increasingly stiff and sluggish body cries NO! I have gone back to the Homeopathic Hospital and am delighted with the help I have had there. I am back to my strict wheat and dairy free regime (having become careless) and I (and my poor husband) am eating oily fish like there is no tomorrow! Symptoms settling but .... MTX or not MTX - that is my question!

I look forward to listening and sharing with others. Alison

Thanks Doreen. Yes I have been "counselled" by the Rheumatology Nurse but felt that I was being "sold" MTX and didn't feel particularly listened to. On reflection this was on a bad day for me - I was still coming to terms with the whole thing and had just had two steroid injections and my knee drained so was not at my best...... I really am trying to be reasonable so should go back and have the discussionn again. Thanks for those thoughts. Alison

Hi Alison,

Welcome to the forum, I am Lorna, I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I am married with 3 daughters. At the beginning I was very ill with RA, talk about getting hit with a sledge hammer. I thought I was dying, I was virtually bed ridden. Over 5 weeks I went from being fit and healthy to an invalid hardly able to move. But the good bit is I was put on the triple therapy including MTX and now I am really well, no aches or pains so it does work, you just have to believe in it and be positive.

I kept a diary and charted daily how I reacted on these drugs, it really helps. I felt I did not have a choice, I could not feel any worse than I already did. So I had to get better. My RA doctor told me now was the best time to get RA because they were so up on the treatments for it.

I too lost lots of weight and tears at the thought of taking this medicine, read the notes once and don't read them again for your own sake. That is what I did, the doctors are there and monitor you well, they will also stop it if there is any problems. My heart goes out to you, you have joined the club no-one wants to join but hey you get the tea shirt now Try to be positive it really does help. Thinking about you, and sending a big hug to make you feel better. Lorna xx

Hi Alison
I lost a full stone in weight when i first started with R A . Once i got sorted with MTX and Plaquinel etc the weight and a few pounds more went back on.
The doctor said it was the inflamation that made me lose the weight. I am fatter but in a lot less pain. I hope you soon feel a lot better.

Kathleen Mc.

Hi Alison, and a big welcome to the forum.

I`m pretty sure we have all reacted to our diagnosis in the same way you have. It`s a lot to take in when you are used to being an active person. I was a PE teacher, and always did a lot of sport, so RA hit me really hard.

Sulphaslazine was the first drug they tried me on, and while I had no side effects, it didn`t do anything to control my RA, so next up it was MTX, and I was horrified at the thought, as we never even had tablets of any sort in the house before RA came calling. However, my RA was rampant, and I couldn`t even pick up my one year old grandson to give him a cuddle, so I needed a drug that worked. Five years down the line I`ve been on all sorts, but currently am on anti-TNF therapy - humira - which I think is even more scarey, but for me it is Hobson`s Choice. When you find a drug that works, it minimises the damage to your joints. If left unchecked, the joints will suffer greatly.

It`s always a difficult situation, but you will be carefully monitored while you are taking the MTX.

Take care,

Kathleen x

Hello Alison,

Welcome to the Forum you will find amazing advice on here. However sorry that you have RA.

Sorry I am late in welcoming you but I have been away for the w end.

Everyone before me has given you good sound advice. I started on MTX as it is the
'gold' medication they like you to be on. I would certainly give it a try as I did, unfortunately
it was not a drug that suited my body so I had to stop it. However when I was on it
there was a marked improvement on my mobility and inflamation.

I am Rose from Somerset aged 56 . Diagnosed 2 years ago and still waiting to sort out my
medication to go on TNF's. I am married and have 2 grown up children and 1 granddaughter
aged 6.

Keep posting and good luck

Rose